Three braces too many as Gully put six past Thunder
By DANIEL CAMPOS (@francisfields)
Photo BRUNO SILVERII / Magpress
Green Gully has boosted its survival hopes with a massive 6-1 win over Dandenong Thunder at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Braces to Matthew Breeze, Alon Blumgart and Liam Boland were too much for Dandenong Thunder who could only manage a sole consolation goal via Veton Korcari late in the contest.
The hosts led by experienced Roddy Vargas in defence with a back-line three looked to take command early and playing out patiently.
Thunder custodian Zaim Zeneli was tested in the opening ten minutes responding well with crosses and aerial balls with authority.
Soon after, Dandenong youngster Yusuf Ahmed tested Gully's Rani Dowisha between the posts where he responded solidly, coming off his line to smother the chance.
On 20 minutes, Gully worked to get themselves on the break down the right. A fast-paced, one-touch cross by was met instantly by Matthew Breeze to open the scoring with a clean finish.
The delight in the stands continued on the half-hour mark as Green Gully extended their lead to two.
After two stunning reaction saves by Zeneli, his sharp reflexes and efforts were overshadowed by a long-range finish by Alon Blumgart coming in unmarked just outside the 18-yard box for two.
Dandenong Thunder searched for replies but lacked to provide balls into their front third to find striker Veton Korcari.
Breeze got his second at 40 minutes to take his side into the half 3-0 up.
The second half Gully appeared to drop a gear, but the emphasis shifted to keeping the ball and maintaining the scoreline.
Thunder manager Stuart Munro opted to change Jarod Blackbourn on the left who made way for Abdirahman Ahmed who combined well with Yusuf Ahmed.
The floodgates opened in the final twenty minutes with Zaim Zeneli hapless to prevent the finishing of Alon Blumgart's second for the afternoon after his dribbling left him with time and space in front of goal to finish.
Liam Boland got his name on the scoresheet on 75 minutes and completed his brace two minutes later as the attacks continued on Dandenong's right-hand side.
A late mistimed challenge on 83 minutes by Rani Dowisha in the Green Gully goal saw a penalty converted from the spot for the visitors to reduce the deficit.
Coach Stephen Downes spoke after the match praising the home side's attacking display for the afternoon whilst also recapping the heavy schedule coming up with three matches in ten days.
"Early on we put two goals away and I did not think the score line was going to reflect the match," Downes said.
"There's a number of games left (in the season) and this was definitely a relegation battle. After last week's disappointing performance the lads came together a made up for it with a good performance.
"Our work rate allowed quality to come through. We were lacking honesty in the work rate, we turned up and we applied ourselves right.
"In football you have to give yourself every chance.
"That's the main thing, we could a result now to carry with us and build on. I can count on the experience of Roddy (Vargas) and Daniel Jones.
"Our attacking performance and structure is important to us so if we're not structurally well we'll be in trouble. Week in, week out we need to perform well.
"Today we pressed high today but we must also adapt and be flexible, today the result allowed us to press high and hopefully we build on it and keep getting results."
Match Details:
Green Gully 6 (Matthew Breeze 22' 40', Alon Blumgart 30', 73', Liam Boland 75', 77') defeated Dandenong Thunder 1 (Veton Korcari 84') at Green Gully Reserve.
Green Gully: 23. Rani DOWISHA, 2. Matthew REID, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 8. Tomas MURPHY (10. Rinor MURIQI 64'), 9. Evan CHRISTODOULOU, 11. Matthew BREEZE, 14. Amadu KOROMA (12. Muhammed UZUMCA 78'), 16. Simon TOLLI, 17. Alon BLUMGART, 20. Hakeem ALORAIBI, 38. Liam BOLAND.
Yellow Cards: 8. Tomas MURPHY 28', 23. Rani DOWISHA 84'.
Subs not used: 1.Sebastian MATTEI, 15. Connor BOLAND, 3. Nicholas KOZDRA
Dandenong Thunder: 1. Zaim ZENELI, 4. Adam PETKO, 5. Faisal SAKHIZADA, 3. Ramazan TAVSANCIOUGLU, 2. Jarryd BARNES, 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI, 11. Timmy PURCELL, 14. Brodie PATERSON (10. Festim AZIZI 46'), 7. Yusuf AHMED, 9. Veton KORCARI, 24. Jarod BLACKBURN (19. Abdirahman AHMED 46')
Yellow Cards: Nil.
Subs not used: 21 Anthony SARIC, 17. Fitim IBRAIMI, 22. James GOULOPOULOS
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